Bargains / must buys while in the USA

[meals_au]

I got back from the States yesterday. With the AU$ being low I did most of my shopping in Ross Dress For Less, Marshalls, and TJ Maxx in LV, although I had to get a taxi ($10) to one of the TJ's. I bought my suitcase there, it is a large, fancy coloured hard shell case US$70 - RRP US$340. Samsonite also available there.

The discount stores take up time going through the racks - but I love it - so cheap! In NYC I spent a morning in Century 21 - near the world trade centre. 6 levels to go through!

 

[Infreq]

Did a few business trips 2013-2015, about 8-10 returns overall so I spent a lot of time improving my techniques. I'll just add my 2c.


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a Wealth of information in this post.

If you're staying 2-3 days in one spot, many online shops have free shipping within the US (and very fast it is).

If planning on outlets, a little research ahead of time is good to be aware that even major store brands do stock merchandise that is not up to their normal in-store quality.

Duffle bags are wonderful for the clothing.

 

[Dr Ralph]

2.5hrs each way might be pushing it! But I've added it to the list.

Dont forget to add the 4 hrs you will spend there.

No other place like it in the U.S.

 

[ellen10]

Wow so many good suggestions.
Taking notes we leave in a week!

 

[Cool Cat Phil]

I got back from the States yesterday. With the AU$ being low I did most of my shopping in Ross Dress For Less, Marshalls, and TJ Maxx in LV, although I had to get a taxi ($10) to one of the TJ's. I bought my suitcase there, it is a large, fancy coloured hard shell case US$70 - RRP US$340. Samsonite also available there.

The discount stores take up time going through the racks - but I love it - so cheap! In NYC I spent a morning in Century 21 - near the world trade centre. 6 levels to go through!

I totally agree that the discount stores are a treasure trove of bargains for brand name clothing, suitcases & cosmetics.

Shoes & fragrance are a particular bargain, although it's a lucky dip what you find from day to day, store to store, particularly at Ross Dress for Less.

 

[johnsluk]

My wife is from Southern California so always make sure one suitcase each is free for our yearly purchases. Costco as mentioned is great as medication and vitamins there are super cheap. Also the range there is so much better than here. There is an outlet mall in Ontario mills, an hour out of LA, and prices and shops are great. If you can order online and have them posted to where you're staying you can save a lot. I bought Levi's 501's for $25 where they are min $110 here.

 

[wycx]

Costco for allergy medication. Kirkland brand Loratadine (Aller-clear) which is the same as Claratyne is ~USD13 for 365 tablets. In Australia that would cost about AUD180 for generics from an online retailer, maybe double that from a chemist. Similar pricing for Kirkland equivalent Zyrtec (Aller-tec). Kirkland Telfast (Aller-fex) is about USD33 for 180 tablets. Costco is also good for doxylamine succinate. Perfect for getting to sleep on the flight home.

If your Australian Costco card does not work at the Costco gas station just see the attendant and they will swipe their card for you. This has worked for me every time.

I am partial to Lodge cast iron cookware. You can get the basic stuff from Walmart, but online retailers are necessary for items other than skillets and dutch ovens.

 

[Ultimobo]

Bose noise cancelling headphones?

last time we arrived at LAX I rolled my rental car down nearby Sepulveda to Best Buy - Best Buy - Sepulveda and Rosecrans: Store 1011 - El Segundo, CA - and picked up a refurbished GPS for cheap-as - which we used for our driving tour in the US, and I later sold it, with US maps installed, to someone back in Sydney planning their US trip, for what I paid for it - they were happy and so was I.

looks like they have Bose QC25s for US$300 Bose Headphones - Best Buy which looks like AU$418 - JBHiFi Oz has them for A$399 - https://www.jbhifi.com.au/headphone...ing-headphones-for-apple-devices-whit/625253/ - so suggest you check prices of expensive items you're interested in here first before you go.

I was planning to buy a computer SSD off US Amazon as I could get a friend to free deliver it to me - but when I realised the state taxes tipped it over the edge, I bought it around the corner for the same price here in Sydney.

As for clothes/shoes outlets - I probably wouldn't drive to Barstow unless you were passing - as a guy I was happy to pick up 2 pairs of nice leather shoes for like half Australian price here in mid LA - I expect the entire family would be happy to browse here for a few hours - Citadel Outlets :: 100 Citadel Drive, Suite 480, Los Angeles, CA. 90040 :: 323.888.1724 - 100 Citadel Dr, Los Angeles, CA 90040

 

[DAC1]

I noticed the OP said they were heading to San Diego. If you're down that way, go to the Las Americas outlets on the US side of the US/Mexico border as opposed to the outlets at Carlsbad. I just moved back from San Diego and I found Las Americas had far more stores and better ranges. Some items would be cheaper at Las Americas too.

 

[petercr]

If you're looking for Bose, try to find one that is a 'factory' store - they sometimes have refurb'd product with full warranty at even better prices.

 

[Milboo]

The large shopping mall on the way to Woodbury Common is Paramus Park Mall and it has a Macys and Sears in it.

If you're planning Woodbury Common then check out their website first as they have pages and pages of coupons there. You can also get a coupon book (with different ones) from Information. Plan your trip i.e. Identify which stores you must visit as it is huge and you have to be a hard core shopper to get through it!

Definitely take an empty suitcase or buy one of those shopping trolleys that everyone uses at the markets.

I had a car for my visits and found it worthwhile to move it between the different sides of the centre.

Also be aware that some stores make stock just for the outlets - like Kate Spade.

 

[Pushka]

How about Hawaii and Anchorage . Have been to Ala Moana before.

 

[Dr Ralph]

How about Hawaii and Anchorage . Have been to Ala Moana before.

Much better variety and value with the contiguous states.

 

[Pushka]

Much better variety and value with the contiguous states.

Sure but I'm not going there. Well, Seattle for an overnighter, no shopping allowed.

 

[Denali]

.....Well, Seattle for an overnighter, no shopping allowed.

What do you mean, one night only! Love Seattle.

REI and Columbia and then hit the markets for lots of yummy food and if you get to the Boeing factory, have to buy this:

 

[Pushka]

What do you mean, one night only! Love Seattle.

REI and Columbia and then hit the markets for lots of yummy food and if you get to the Boeing factory, have to buy this:

Well, we are spending a few nights near Denali (Mt McInley). Better?

 

[get me outta here]

PDX is the place for many outdoor shops and there is no sales tax in Oregon. The shops are just 5 mins walk from the city centre. There are so many outdoorsy people wandering around PDX, and I found it difficult to tell which were the 'homeless' people.

 

[Denali]

Well, we are spending a few nights near Denali (Mt McInley). Better?

*sigh* I love Denali/Yukon/BC ect....... hope to get back there in about 2yrs as hubby hasn't been to Alaska yet. Alaska was my first OS trip about 20yrs so good memories. Enjoy!

 

[Limewood]

How about Hawaii and Anchorage . Have been to Ala Moana before.

Hard to beat the HNL Wakellie Shopping expedition, its day out for Mrs Lime, sorry 2

 

[flying_duck]

I always buy:

Walmart:
Lip smackers ~$1
Shoes ~$10+ (great flats, wedges, etc)
OPI Nailpolish ~$10 (on sale)
Medicines - I haven't taken a non USA OTC medicine in at least 6 months. You can't beat 100ml+ bottles of throat numbing spray for a few dollars (compare to Difflam, 15ml bottles for $10). Or 100 gel cap Ibuprofen for $3.

Kmart:
Always go in and check their sale section. Got a great lace hooded top for $5 and a lovely knitted sweater for $3.

Bath and bodyworks
Fragrance mists last ALL DAY (and I'm a smoker) for $6 (Velvet Sugar Travel Size Fine Fragrance Mist - Signature Collection - Bath & Body Works)

DSW (Designer Shoe Warehouse)
I'm sure these are everywhere, but they have Calvin Klein handbags for like $40 and heaps of gorgeous heels, always a sale. I go to the one at Peachtree in ATL.

Old Navy
Watermelon/Pineapple/etc candles at the registers ~$3
Basics dresses - $10+ (the best thing is they often have the same colour in multiple different styles. Ie a line skirt for pear shapes and shift dresses - also I'm a size medium here LOL).

I'm sure there is more, but that is all I can remember for now.